PANJIM: Churchill Brothers FC –Goa’s only team in the I-League –bagged the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Fair Play Award in a glittering function held at city hotel in Mumbai.
The AIFF conducted the first awards ceremony on Thursday. Goa’s Rowlin Borges –who played for Kolkata giants East Bengal –bagged the ‘Emerging Player of the Year’ award.
Twenty-five-year-old Borges, who played for Sporting Clube de Goa from 2011-16 and thereafter for North East United and East Bengal is a defensive midfielder having 14 appearances for India.
After making a comeback to the National football after a span of three years, Churchill Brothers might have not made a top four finish, but have won a team award.
“I think it’s one of the first kinds of award ceremony AIFF has conducted. We are thankful for the team and the players for this award. We dedicate this award to the fans,” said Valanka Alemao, CEO of Churchill Brothers FC.
The Indian football is going through a transitional phase with most clubs seeking proper roadmap for the growth of the league.
“I hope there is fair play in AIFF roadmap too. I don’t think two parallel leagues will justify Indian football. It will be chalk and cheese. It’s a very important and crucial time in Indian football. I’m hoping for good and propose one unified league,” she explained.
Despite late preparations, the Goan outfit managed a mid-table finish, thanks to coach Derrick Pereira.
“We had started preparing late for the season. We were back in the league after three seasons. The club and football is my dad’s (Churchill Alemao) passion. We could have done better and finished in top four if we had won another two games. But overall a great season after making a comeback,” Valanka explained.
Speaking on the occasion Praful Patel, President, AIFF, said, “This is a defining year for Indian football as we prepare to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup in less than 100 days. I am confident that with the guidance and support of the Union Government through the Ministry of Sports, we believe we will be able to host the best FIFA U-17 World Cup ever.”
Among the key awardees were Jeje Lalpekhlua, India national team striker who scored India’s second goal in the recently played international friendly against Nepal, adjudged the player of the year; Sasmita Malik, adjudged the women’s player of the year and Sunil Chettri, India’s most profilic goal scorer with 53 goals from 93 matches, who received a special award for surpassing the milestone over the last year.
